UCLA advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament with a 75-71 victory over UCF in a first-round game on March 20, 2026, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1][2]
In the second half, UCLA senior guard Skyy Clark, a California native who transferred to the Bruins from Louisville ahead of the 2024-25 season, dove for a loose ball and caught an accidental elbow from UCF's Themus Fulks, chipping half of one of his front teeth.[1][3] The incident was captured on the CBS broadcast.
Clark, who has averaged 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game over his collegiate career entering the tournament, received treatment from team staff before returning to the court.[1][4] Walk-on guard Jack Seidler retrieved the chipped tooth fragment from the floor.[1]
"It definitely hurt," Clark said postgame. "I have a little lisp going on."[1] Seidler praised Clark's resilience: "That’s toughness right there. Losing half a tooth and coming back into the game to help us get the win."[1]
Clark sank a free throw in the final seconds to help secure the win.[1] UCLA head coach Mick Cronin noted Clark's toughness in the locker room, where he was smiling despite blood.[1]
The win advances UCLA, a No. 6 seed from the Big Ten Conference, to face the winner of the Washington State-Arizona State matchup in the second round on March 22, 2026.[2]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
Article: "UCLA guard Skyy Clark has a new smile he’s showing off after the Bruins’ 75-71 victory over UCF"
Publication date: March 21, 2026
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ucla-skyy-clark-tooth-ncaa-tournament - Associated Press
Match report: "UCLA 75, UCF 71; Bruins advance in first-round thriller amid Clark injury"
Publication date: March 21, 2026
https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-tournament-ucla-ucf-skyy-clark-2026 - UCLA Athletics
Player bio: "Skyy Clark - Guard"
Accessed: March 21, 2026
https://uclabruins.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/skyy-clark/24785 - ESPN
Player stats: "Skyy Clark College Stats"
Accessed: March 21, 2026
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/stats/_/id/5103682/skyy-clark - NCAA.com
Tournament bracket: "2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament"
Accessed: March 21, 2026
https://www.ncaa.com/bracket/2026/mens-basketball
